News: Iraqi Troop Withdrawal Quick Links

REUTERS/AP/NEW YORK TIMES: U.S. Troops to Leave Iraq by Year's End, Obama Says

President Barack Obama said on Friday the United States will fulfill its pledge to pull troops out of Iraq by the end of the year. "As promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year. After nearly nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over," Obama told reporters.

President Barack Obama's announcement Friday that all U.S. troops would leav Iraq by the end of 2011 marks the fulfillment of a major political promise Obama had made on the 2008 campaign trail.

The president announced his decision at an early afternoon press conference at the White House. It's in keeping with the timeline Obama first established in early 2009, when he first laid out a timetable for withdrawal.

THINK PROGRESS: Obama: 'After Nearly Nine Years, America's War In Iraq Will Be Over'

After nine years of war and nearly a year of back and forth about whether the United States would keep troops in Iraq past the year-end total withdrawal deadline, this afternoon, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops in Iraq will come home by the end of this year. "Today I can say that our troops in Iraq will definitely be home for the holidays," he said.

The word is out that all U.S. troops will be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of the year. While every American shares the conviction that we don't want any U.S. troops stationed in a Middle East country a day longer than they need to be, it is tragic to see a premature exit of U.S. troops that might jeopardize the progress that has been made in Iraq.

THE HUFFINGTON POST: Obama Announces Iraq Troops Will Be Withdrawn By End Of 2011

WASHINGTON -- Fulfilling a long-held campaign promise, President Barack Obama announced Friday that he will pull all U.S. troops out of Iraq by the end of the year, as conditioned by the Status of Forces Agreement with the country. "As a candidate for president, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end," Obama said. "So today I can report that, as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year."

FIREDOGLAKE: President Obama Announces Full Withdrawal of US Troops from Iraq

The President has announced the full withdrawal of US military troops from Iraq. This was put out a week ago unofficially, and then Defense Secretary Leon Panetta (who's a terrible Defense Secretary, by the way) tried half-heartedly to walk it back. But the decision has now been made.

AMERICA BLOG: Breaking: Obama says All US troops are leaving Iraq by the end of the year

Okay, that was a surprise. Have to admit, I never thought it would happen. As lousy as the economy is going, I have to say that Obama has wrapped up some darn good foreign successes over the past year.

ABC's Jake Tapper tweets, "WH says 4-5,000 security contractors will remain in Iraq." Sounds like Blackwater. I'd like to see the cost of that.

THE ATLANTIC: Obama Announces End of Iraq War, All Troops Gone by 2012

President Obama announced the complete withdrawal of all remaining troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. "As a candidate for president I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to an end," the president said Friday, speaking from the White House.

President Obama: "As a candidate for president, I pledged to bring the war in Iraq to a responsible end for the sake of our national security and to strengthen American leadership around the world. After taking office, I announced a new strategy that would end our combat mission in Iraq and remove all of our troops by the end of 2011. As commander in chief, ensuring the success of this strategy has been one of my highest national security priorities. Last year, I announced the end to our combat mission in Iraq, and, to date, we have removed more than 100,000 troops. Iraqis have taken full responsibility for their country's security. A few hours ago, I spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki. I reaffirmed that the United States keeps its commitments. He spoke of the determination of the Iraqi people to forge their own future. We are in full agreement about how to move forward. So, today, I can report that, as promised, the rest of our troops in Iraq will come home by the end of the year. After nearly nine years, America's war in Iraq will be over."

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